New Delhi will host the first-ever Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS), an international gathering aimed at fostering dialogue among Buddhist leaders, scholars, and practitioners from across Asia, on 5–6 November. The summit is organized by India’s Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) on the theme “Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia.”
According to the ministry, the summit will be a “manifestation of India’s Act East Policy,” underscoring India’s dedication to promoting Buddhist heritage and its relevance in addressing today’s social and spiritual challenges, with special attention to building ties among countries in South and Southeast Asia.
The summit’s central goal is to facilitate understanding among diverse Buddhist communities while addressing contemporary challenges, including cultural preservation, environmental concerns, and ethical issues. According to a press release from India’s Press Information Bureau, discussions will focus on Buddhist art, architecture, heritage, and the significance of Buddhist relics. In addition, speakers will explore how the principles of the Buddhadharma can contribute to scientific research and overall well-being.
The event will be attended by several prominent leaders, with India’s president, Droupadi Murmu, expected as chief guest. This high-profile attendance reflects the summit’s significance and aligns with India’s Act East and Neighborhood First policies, which emphasize inclusive, collective development in Asia. These policies support regional cooperation and cultural exchange, aiming to strengthen the continent’s spiritual heritage.
An exhibition titled “India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) Connecting Asia” will accompany the summit, showcasing India’s historical and cultural ties to Buddhism. India has a longstanding commitment to promoting Buddhist culture, highlighted through initiatives such as the Buddhist Tourism Circuit, which connects key sites associated with the life of the Buddha, as well as the recent Global Buddhist Summit and the International Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage. These efforts align with India’s mission to preserve and promote Buddhist teachings and heritage in modern society.
The exhibition will feature artifacts and documents that illustrate India’s influence on Buddhism across Asia. In particular, it will showcase the contributions of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, who played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism beyond India’s borders during the third century BCE. After converting to Buddhism, Ashoka used his position to propagate the Buddha’s teachings throughout his empire and sent emissaries to distant regions, including Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. His efforts established Buddhism as a major cultural and spiritual force across the Asian continent.
Organizers of the ABS emphasized that the summit would address the enduring impact of the Buddhadharma on Asian societies and explore how the Buddhist teachings remain relevant. Sessions will delve into Buddhism’s potential contributions to sustainability and mental well-being—areas in which interest in Buddhist practices has grown in recent years. By fostering discussions on these topics, it is hoped that the summit will provide practical applications of Buddhist teachings to meet modern societal needs.
The ABS comes amid a renewed focus on Buddhism in India. Since the Buddha’s enlightenment in the fifth century BCE, his teachings have continued to inspire followers globally. Today, India is home to an estimated eight million Buddhists, a small but historically significant minority in the country. Over the past decade, the Indian government has increased its efforts to highlight this heritage, recognizing the value of the Buddhist teachings in promoting peace, compassion, and environmental stewardship.
Organizers of the summit expressed hope that it would contribute to a more compassionate and sustainable world by promoting dialogue and cultural exchange, strengthening connections among Buddhist communities and supporting efforts toward peace and environmental resilience across Asia. Through these gatherings, participants are encouraged to discuss Buddhism’s role in advocating a balanced, ethical approach to global issues, drawing on the Buddha’s teachings on compassion, wisdom, and interdependence.
The IBC, the event’s co-organizer, stated that the ABS marked a major step forward for Buddhist cooperation in Asia. By addressing common issues and promoting cultural heritage, the summit is aimed at reinforcing Buddhism’s role as a unifying force across diverse regions. This initiative aligns with the broader goals of many Buddhist organizations to foster understanding and shared values that can address Asia’s unique challenges. Through these discussions and exchanges, the ABS could inspire a collective vision for a peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive Asia, reflecting the teachings of the Buddha in contemporary life.
See more
First Asian Buddhist summit to be held in Delhi from November 5 to 6 (The Hindu)
‘Manifestation Of India’s Act East Policy’: First Asian Buddhist Summit To Be Held In New Delhi From 5 To 6 November (Swarajya)
India hosts maiden Asian Buddhist Summit (The Economic Times)
Asian Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on Nov 5,6; President to be chief guest (Business Standard)
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